Securing border with Bangladesh is our priority: India
Replying to a question about Khalilur Rahman’s recent visit to China, MEA spokesperson Jaiswal said India closely follows developments in the region but emphasised that New Delhi’s ties with its neighbours are independent of such engagements.
India today (12 May) said the security of the border with Bangladesh is a matter of priority for the country.
Speaking at a media briefing in New Delhi, Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Border security is a priority for us. That is how we look at it."
His remarks came when asked to comment on the decision of the new BJP government in West Bengal to hand over land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for fencing the frontier with Bangladesh.
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In response to a question, Jaiswal said, "We have already indicated that we are taking the relationship with Bangladesh in a positive direction."
He noted that Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman recently visited Delhi, while Speaker of India's Lok Sabha Om Birla travelled to Dhaka.
"That is the trajectory of the present relationship with Bangladesh," he added.
India meeting Bangladesh's fuel requests
Responding to a question on India's support to neighbouring countries during the ongoing energy crisis, Jaiswal said India has continued supplying fuel to countries in the neighbourhood, including Bangladesh, through the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.
"We have been supplying diesel to Bangladesh through the high-speed diesel friendship pipeline. We also received additional requests from Bangladesh, which we have met and continue to meet," he said.
He added that India has also been supplying energy products to Bhutan and Nepal under existing arrangements, while assistance has also been extended to Sri Lanka. "Some arrangements are currently being worked out with Mauritius as well."
The MEA spokesperson further said India had received a request from Nepal for fertiliser supplies, which is being processed within the existing framework of cooperation.
On migration issue
Asked about reported remarks by Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed that Dhaka maintains "zero tolerance" toward illegal migration, Jaiswal said the matter remains under discussion between the two countries.
"We have told you that this is a subject of conversation between India and Bangladesh," he said.
The spokesperson also reiterated that India is awaiting Bangladesh's response regarding nationality verification of more than 2,860 individuals whose names were shared by New Delhi with Dhaka.
Replying to a question about Khalilur Rahman's recent visit to China, Jaiswal said India closely follows developments in the region but emphasised that New Delhi's ties with its neighbours are independent of such engagements.
"As practitioners of international relations and diplomacy, we closely follow all the developments around us. But let me tell you that India's relationships with its neighbours stand on their own," he said.
